The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-07
HIS OWN MURDER.
a Curious Case OF Circumstantial
Evidence.

II any man could look into the Sybi.
iine leaf of the future and catch g
glimpse of the various vicissitudes and
misfOrtunes with which he must strug.
gle, he would turn sharply round, and
seek the nearest course short of suicide
Grid himself of those trials which might
shake his manhood; and SO give up all
the sunshine of existence to avoid its
shadows. Fortunately, however, man
has not the privilege of foreknowledge,
a faculty which few would have the
courage to render serviceable, and
which most would convert into an
engine of misery and affection.
Justice has indeed been painted
blind, and a very expensive portrait
she makes in that way. If not really
blind, justice is certainly, in some
cases, short-sighted; and this same
blindness or near-sightedness has very
often placed the necks of many unfOr-
Inmates within the grasp of the merci-
less legal halter.
Juan Suarez, Mexican by birth and
a wanderer by nature as well as by
necessity, had for many years been a
wanderef from his native country,
seeking to crafty a love of variety
and to amass fortune. Having &C
complished both to a considerable de-
gree no thought he would explore Mexico
on foot.
Up from the river Tobasco, in the ex-
treme southeast of Mexico, there stood,
at the time of our story, an ivy en-
twined cottage which was dignified by
the term inn. Having travelled consid-
erably one day. hot and fatigued, Suarez
stopped at this inn to refresh himself
and was soon seated among the motley
group of the usual hangers-on at such
places of resort. Finding that about
two miles further on the road he should
arrive at a small market town, where
accommodations for the night of much
more convenient nature could be pro-
cured, he resolved to 90 thither.
When he took out his purse to pay
his bill he casually exposed quantity
of money, and the Doors of the village
who surrounded the table looked upon
the wealth with avaricious eyes. While
Suarez counted out certain sum he
noticed a greedy-eyed, Unlocking fell
low fix his eyes upon him and his purse
in way that did not please him.
Suarez soon took his departure and
proceeded leisurely on to his destina-
ton. The evening began to close, and
on arriving at a dull part of the road,
overhung by high banks and covered
with furze and briars, he suddenly
found himself stunned by blow by
some one from behind, and he fell in
sensible to the ground.
When he became semi-conscious he
discovered he was bleeding and lying
in wet ditch, half-drowned, apparent
Iy in his own blood. A man was lean
ing over him, and humanely endeavor
ihg to assist him. Finally he concluded
that Suarez was dead, and started off
to make known his discovery. 1t was
nearly dark when Suarez reused him.
self and resumed his tramp. His clothes
were wet through, and after washing
himself he put on another suit, which
he carried in knapsack. He recalled
the Unlocking fellow at the inn, who
cast such sinister chances at his money,
and Immediately suspected him as his
assailant. The fellow, however, had
not secured Suarez's money, and the
latter thought it very funny that the
fellow had not robbed him, as the OBJ
iect of the assault was undoubtedly
robbery.
After fatiguing walk Suarez ar
rived at the inn in the adjoining town,
and had scarcely taken his seat before
he overheard conversation among
several men, stationed at the other end
of the room; accompanied by express
sive looks toward him. As he was
stranger in the place he was not par
ticularly surprised. The conversation
soon became louder, and, at length,
Suarez heard a strangely exaggerated
story of his own murder.
1t was confidently asserted that
stranger had been robbed and MUIR
dered short distance from the town,
aud that he had been found in ditch
with his skull fractured, his brains scat
tered about the road and his pockets
turned inside out. Suarez listened to
this marvellous history with consider
able amusement and thought how
easily a strange story is made to pass
current, though based on the flimsiest
of facts.
After taking some refreshments
Suarez proposed to return, and took
quantity of money to pay in advance
for his accommodation. AS he did so.
one of the party of men conversing to-
gether. came up to him, and after i'm
pudently gazing into his face. turned
to his companions and mysteriously
whispered:
There's blood on this mans face.
He has got quantity of money. Where
did he come from? Who is hep"
The crowd seemed excited, and the
old fellow again approached Suarez,
and asked him where he had got the
money then in his possession, and sar-
-castically asked if such money grew on
bushes Being answered in careless
manner he put his finger cunningly to
his nose, and closely scrutinizing
,Suarez, remarked aloud that the latter
had blood on his face, and that his ap-
pesrance was somewhat suspicious.
A. this juncture the man who had